Suzuki Sx4 Sportback, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Now in its fourth year since replacing the Aerio, the Suzuki SX4 has gained a steadily increasing following as an unheralded competitor to the Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent and Scion xD. But the compact car now features 16 stylings, including the new sportiest family edition, the Sx4 Sportback. A hatchback with a different name, the Sportback has a firmer suspension, a lower ride height, increased of horsepower (143 to 150) and two new transmission options a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the latter of which replaces last year’s four-speed automatic. And there’s more: restyled front fascia, a

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Geneva Motor Show: BMW to Volvo, Audi to VW . . . But Geneva Girls make the show

At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, more than 80 cars, the 2011 Audi A1 to the 2011 Volvo S60 and the 2011 BMW 5 Series to the 2011 Volkswagen Sharan, made their debut. First held in 1905, in the Geneva Motor Show has hosted almost all major internal combustion engined models in the history of the automobile, along with benzene- and steam-powered cars from the beginning of the century. Exotic supercars often steal the spotlight during their debuts at the show. Prototypes, new equipment, technical breakthroughs, international partnerships, as well as political and social debates, have been announced at the

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Lexus debuts compact luxury hybrid at Geneva Motor Show

It also reflects the design language of its larger siblings in its front face, roofline and slingshot window graphic. The exterior design is said to maximize aerodynamic efficiency through the corners and fender design, while the taillamp design displays the L-shaped motif that Lexus first introduced on the current LS model. The interior features contrasting use of metallic finishes and dark, soft-touch surfaces. The asymmetrical dashboard design seen in the LF-Ch show car – split into an upper ‘display zone’ and a lower ‘operation zone’ – low driving position and 2600mm wheelbase have all been effectively transferred into the production

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Oscars: Kim Basinger in, Jeff Bridges out for Hyundai — but all for the show

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In order to comply with the rules , Hyundai decided to make seven commercials with other actors’ voices. Bridges suggested a short list of colleagues, and last week Hyundai finished recording the final ad with assists from Kim Basinger, Richard Dreyfuss, David Duchovny, Catherine Keener, Michael Madsen, Mandy Patinkin and Martin Sheen. Hyundai has purchased seven ads that will air during the program and in one pre-show spot. Hyundai signed a three-year option with ABC in 2009. According to Chris Perry, director of marketing communications for Hyundai, the Oscars buy focuses on the 2011 Sonata, a mid-sized sedan poised to

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Oscars: Hyundai debuts clever Academy Awards ad with Jeff Bridges' actor friends

What do Kim Basinger, David Duchovny, Richard Dreyfuss, Catherine Keener, Michael Madsen, Mandy Patinkin and Martin Sheen have in common with Jeff Bridges and what do the eight actors have in common with the Academy Awards and Hyundai? It’s simple. Bridges has been the voice of Hyundai for the past three years, and the South Korean automaker is the exclusive automotive sponsor for the Academy Awards broadcast. But Bridges is also nominated as Best Actor for his performance in Crazy Heart. And therein lies the problem. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences prohibits sponsors from running advertising featuring

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General Motors says 661 dealers welcomed back from bankruptcy restructuring

GM planned to terminate franchise agreements with about 1,300 U.S. dealers by the end of 2010 in a bid to operate its retail networks more efficiently and return the company to profitability. About 1,160 dealers have sought arbitration. Mark Reuss, GM North American President, said the manufacturer has opted to reinstate more than half of the dealers appealing closure in an effort to complete the arbitration process before the congressionally mandated deadline of July 15. The company plans to continue settlement talks with some 500 dealers who will not be offered reinstatement and remain in arbitration, Reuss said. To be

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Red Ferrari GTO offered for private sale, all-time record price feasible

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The 250 GTO model won its division of the World Sports Car Championship in 1962, 1963 and 1964 and was voted by Motor Trend Classic magazine the “Greatest Ferrari of All Time.” The privately-sold Ferrari GTO featured the original Series I bodywork, while the RM example has the slightly later, less desirable Series II design. A U.K. collector recently privately sold a 1930s Alfa Romeo 8C 2900 sports car for 12 million pounds ($17.9 million). A Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, sold by RM Auctions for $12.2 million in May 2009, holds the record for any car offered in a public

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Suzuki Kizashi, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

With the exception of the choice, definition and pronunciation of its name (KEY-ZAH-SEEE), the 2010 sedan is an unqualified success. Often manufacturers’ claims are suspect. But Suzuki touts the Kizashi with the following, and all are hard to dispute: * The best equipped mid-size sedan starting under $19,000, with volume models averaging between $22,000 and $24,000. * The most standard safety features in its price class and already meets the NHTSA’s 2014 safety standards. * The AWD Kizashi, available in all trim levels with CVT transmission, can be purchased for less than some of the segment’s volume-leading FWD sedans. Again,

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Volkswagen debuts CrossGolf at Geneva Auto Show

Volkswagen has unveiled the CrossGolf, the sixth vehicle in the Golf family, at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The latest addition joins the standard Golf, longer wheelbase Golf Plus, Golf Variant wagon, Golf GTI and new Golf R. Like the CrossPolo, the CrossGolf is a five-door hatchback with a raised ride height and a rugged all-terrain look. However, it is not based on the standard Golf but rather the slightly larger Golf Plus. The engine lineup consists of compact turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines, with outputs ranging 105 horsepower (base model) to 160 horsepower (range-topper). A six-speed manual comes IS

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Alfa Romeo, Fiat back in full force (almost) in US in late 2012

According to Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne, Alfa Romeo is likely return to the U.S. at the the end of 2012 although MiTo and Giulietta may not be available. While the MiTo is already available in some markets and the Giulietta is making its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the U.S. is expected to only receive the larger Giulia 159-replacement and another large sedan based on the Chrysler 300 platform plus several sports models. Designed by the Alfa Romeo Style Center, the new Giulietta is a five-door hatchback and on an all-new platform simply titled Compact. New technology

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Stuck accelerator problems include Honda, Volkswagen, Volvo

The just-released NPR report details consumer complaints to federal regulators regarding accelerator issues have also been problematic for Volkswagen, Volvo and Honda, among other manufacturers. The analysis covers about 15,000 complaints filed over the past decade, covering cars back to the 1990 model year. The complaints were filed with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) which regulates auto safety. In 2009 models, for example, NHTSA  identified 251 complaints alleging sudden acceleration and related problems. To read the NPR account of unintended acceleration, visit: Unitended Acceleration To view a year-by-year individual manufacturer list of complaints, visit: Complaints James RaiaA sports,

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Saab story: 500 new cars left in US, but Spyker purchase adds promise

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The company’s current moniker is “The Well-Built Swede.” But while all of Saab‘s slogans have sounded great, none have proven particularly pertinent. As a result. just how far the carmaker had fallen during its 60-plus years was no more evident than it was during an interview with the Associated Press at the Geneva Auto Show. Saab‘s CEO  Jan Ake Jonsson said the company, purchased last December by Dutch automaker Spyker, has only 500 cars for sale in showrooms across the United States  “That number should probably be 5,000,” Jonsson said. General Motors Corp. sold Saab Automobile AB to Spyker Cars

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Ford has dramatic sales increase, Toyota tumbles again

Ford announced sales rose to 137,644 vehicles for its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands and it plans to build 595,000 in North America in the second quarter and increase of 32 percent from 2009. The industry’s sales were announced following one if them most turbulent months for the car industry, particularly for Toyota and other manufacturers facing recalls. Despite the tumultuous times, Ford sales in February rose for every brand when compared to the same month last year.  It was the first month since 1998 that Ford outsold General Motors, the biggest U.S. carmaker. General Motors reported its February U.S.

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GM recall: 1.3 million Pontiac and Chevy models with power steering issues (video)

As the buzz continues for one of the most anticipated auto gatherings of of the year, General Motors isn’t experiencing what it thought it would at the Geneva Auto Show. Usually, the industry’s annual gathering in Switzerland is when more manufacturers debut cars arguably than at any other show. But this year, it’s the just announced the need to repair 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac vehicles for from 2005 to 2010 models with potential power steering problems that’s got the attention of the industry at large. The recall covers the 2005-2010 model year Chevrolet Cobalt and 2007-2010 Pontiac G5 in

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Gas mileage by the numbers: 15 most fuel-efficient 2010 cars

But EPA city and hwy mileage average are the most prominent numbers listed on an manufacturer’s monroney sticker. Someone purchasing a Hummer is as interested in the numbers as someone buying a Honda Insight, but odds are they’ll still look at the averages. All things considered, here are top 15 most fuel efficient cars, ranked in increasingly efficient order based on city mpg. 15. The Hyundai Elantra Blue (manual), MPG: 26 city, 35 highway Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price: $14,145; 14. Mini Cooper (manual) MPG: 28 city, 37 highway; MSRP: $19,500. 13. Toyota Yaris (manual), MPG: 29 city, 36 highway; MSRP:

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GM joins recall frenzy: 1.3 million Chevrolet and Pontiac models

The recall affects 2005 to 2010 Chevrolet Cobalts, 2007 to 2010 Pontiac G5s, 2005 and 2006 Pontiac Pursuits sold in Canada and 2005 and 2006 Pontiac G4s sold in Mexico. The automaker said the vehicles are still safe to drive and never lose their steering. The affected cars may be harder to steer them when traveling under 15 mph. Alan Adler, GM spokesman, said the failures are rare and the cars can still be driven until motors can be replaced by dealers. Drivers will see a warning light and hear a chime if the power steering fails, but they could

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